Sewing machine



June 27, 1933. R. L. LYONS SEWING MACHINE -I-NI oewlf Z ww y y June 27, 1933. RL, LYONS 1,915,831

SEWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 2o, 1931 1 4 sheets-sheet 2 R. L, LYONS SEWING MACHINE June 27, 1933.

Filed Feb. 20, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wx, .I www. 9% m Vrm ww W m BM R. L. I YONS SEWING MACHINE June 27, 1933.

' sirable attri Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED, STATES PATENT oFFlcle:`

ROBERT L. LYONS, QF WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN BUTTON SEWING MACHINE C0., 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS', A ORPORATION OF MASSA- "HUSETTS SEWING MACHINE Applicafon led February 20, 1931. Serial No. 517,223. Y

This invention relates to sewing machines, and while certain of the desirable features of the invention are not limited thereto, it is particularly suitable to machines for the sew- 0 ing of four hole buttons or the like, using two needles, each forming chain stitches, the two sets of stitches being entirely independent of each other sojas to present on the back face of the work two parallel spaced lines of stitches.

One object,l of the invention is toinsure proper cooperation between the needles and oscillatory loopers to prevent the possibility of stitches being missed, andregardless of the relative movement of the button andneedles, to hold the loops of thread on the loopers in each needlerpath.

A further object is to provide an improved control of the thread loops whereby they cannot become caught by any part of the stitchforming mechanism and which gives time for proper operation of certain of the parts.

A still further Objectis to provide a support for the work which will permit buttons to be sewed to soft material satisfactorily.

Another object is to provide a machine of this type wherein `the needles are so -positioned as to permit ready threading.

A further object is to provide such a machine in which the movements of the parts shall not tend to pull or push the button out of its holding means.

A still further object is to provide a machine havin in the one organization the deldutes of both a flat top and a horn machine.

Further objects will be apparent from a more complete description of an embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a button sew-y ing machine embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the sewing head showing the needle bar in raised position.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 1. A

Figure 4 is an inverted plan of the machine. Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan ofthe Cloth p 50 plate.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section to a larger scale on line 6-6 ofFigure 4.

Figure 7 is a View somewhat similar to a portion `of Figure 4 but to a larger scale.

Figures 8 and 9 are sections on lines 8--8 and 9 9, respectively, of Figure 6.

Figures 10 and 11 are sectional views somewhat similar to Figure 9, but showing a button being sewed and with parts in successive positions in the stitching cycle. l

Figure 12 is a detail inverted plan showing the thread inger.

Figures 13 to 16` inclusive are diagrammatic views showing the relative positions of Icertain ofI the sewing instrumentalities during .successive portions of the stitching cycle, the button, needle and looper mechanism beingfshown enlarged relative to the needle bar and related mechanism for the sake of clarity.

The machine illustrated in the drawings comprises a bed l having a post 2 upstanding from its rear end terminating in a forwardly extending sewing arm 3 provided with the usual sewing -head 4. As shown best in Figures 3 and 4, the bed 1 is provided with a forwardly extending central horn portion 5 within which are housed certain of the stitch forming mechanism, as will later appear. On either side of this horn portion are parallel spaced portions-6 which form additional work supporting members which cooperate with the horn 5 to form in effect a relatively wide work table for supporting relatively heavy work. In the case of lighter work or where buttons are to be sewed to sleeves,`

or the like, the work may be applied to the horn portion only, passing through the slots Z which separatel the horn portion 5 from the portions 6. One or both -of these portions 6 may, if desired, be provided with depressed pockets as 8 in their upper faces which may be used to hold buttons in convenient position for the operator.

At 10 beneath the bed 1 is shown the main rotary driving shaft of the machine. Driven from this shaft, as by means of the double cranks 11 and 12 and the crank rods 13, is

the needle bar actuating shaft 14 which acts 100` to impart work piercing and retracting strokes to a needle bar 15 mounted for vertical movement in the head 4. As shown the reci}:rocations of the needle bar are produced from rotation of the shaft 14 by means of a crank 16 fixed to the shaft 14 and a link 17 extending from the crank to a pivot 18 on a ,sleeve 19 fixed to the needle bar. At 20 is shown a variable thread tension mechanism actuated by a suitable cam 21 on the shaft 14 so as to lock'the thread supply when the cast off thread loops are being pulled up against the work by the motion of the needle bar. At 22 is shown a constant tension.

The needle bar 15 has secured thereto a pair of needles-25 arranged in a plane extending from front to back of the machine. Cooperating with these needles to form stitches are the mechanisms within the horn portion 5 including, the oscillatory loopers shown best in Figures 6 at 26, these being fixed to an oscillatory shaft 27. 'This shaft is oscillated in time with the motions of the needle bar by the rotation of the main shaft 10, this shaft carrying a cam 30 thereon provided with a face groove 31 within which rides a follower 32 carried by an arm 33 fixed to the looper shaft 27. The greater portion of the groove 31 is concentric with the shaft 10 but the groove has a reentrant portion 34, which, when in engagement with the follower 32, causes a quick oscillation of the loopers. It will be noted from yan inspection of Figure l6 that the loopers face in the same direction and that this direction is such as to require the threading of both needles from the same direction and from the front of the machine. This is a distinct advantage in a multiple needle machine since it is found in practicethat where the needles must be threaded in opposite directions there is considerable danger of unthreading one when it is attempted to thread another. Moreover, it is most convenient to the operator if the threading can be accomplished y from the front of the machine.

Since, as will later appear, the Work is given motions alternately in opposite direcof Ia pair in the button in the path of each needle, means are necessary in order to present the loops of thread taken by the loopers in` position for the needles to pass therethrough on their next succeeding work pierclng stroke. rlhe cam 30 is herein shown as utilized for the purpose of giving the necessary motions to such means which comprises a single thread linger tak-ing the loops from both of the loopers. To this end the cam 30 is shown as provided with a peripheral groove 40 Within which rides a cam follower l41 fixed to a block 42. This block lis carried by a slide 43 and vextends through a slot 44 in a plate 45,f the slide 43 riding ina guide groove 46 in the. upper face of the plate 45,

tions to present successively alternate holesas shown best in Figure 8. A screw7 47 threaded into the slide 43 and passing through an elongated slot 48 in the plate 45 acts as afurther guide to the motion of the slide 43. Near its forward end this slide 43 has pivoted thereon, as by the screw 50, with a washer 51 interposedtherebetween, a thread finger 52. A friction washer 53 beneath the head of the screw 50 tends to hold the thread finger frictionally in any angulaiposition to which it may be turned. This thread finger 52 is provided with a finger portion 54 having adjacent to its free end a pair of spaced notches 55 and 56 in one edge. Each of these notches is formed with a substantial shoulder portion 57 on that side only which is the more remote from its free end so that the finger can be withdrawn endwise from the loops freely but may engage the thread loops and hold them in proper longitudinal position spaced apart and in the proper position for the respective needles to pass there through. The thread finger is also provided with a tail portion 60 which extends between a pair of eccentric abutments 51 and 62. As the slide 43 is moved from front to back, this tail, 60 engages alternately on the abutments (il and 62, whereupon further movement of the slide 43 causes a quick lateral movement of the finger portion to engage or release the loops of thread from the loopers. Adjustment of the angular positions ofthe abutl ments 61 and 62 adjusts the' timing of this lateral motion to a limited degree. l

The work holding mechanism comprises a button clamp 70 of conventional form and a cloth plate 71therebeneath. The button clamp is shown l:s pivoted at 72 (see Figure 1) and may be raised from the upper face of the cloth plate at the end of the sewing operation to breakthe threads by any suitable means. As herein shown this is accomplished by a chain 73 attached at its lower end to a suitable portion of the button clamp and at its upper end to an arm 74 carried by a rock shaft 75. This rock shaft may be turned to lift the clamp by exerting a downward pull, by a treadle or other suitablefmeans (not shown),'on a chain 76 attached to an arm 77 fixed to the rock shaft 75. A spring 7 8 normally holds the button clamp lowered. The button clamp, as shown best in Figure 3, comprises a pair of spaced side jaws 80 and 81 and a rear central jaw 82 which support the button therebetween, the button being inserted or removed by a motion front to back of the machine through the forward open end of the clamp between the side jaws 80 and 81. Any suitable means may be provided for v retracting the jaws to permit adjusting the normal spacing of the jaws'y in accordance The button clamp and the cloth plate together are given a motion laterally of the plane of the two needles and as the two needles are arranged 1n a planefrom front to back of the machine, this motion of the work hold! r 10 as by the gearingat 92. This cam 90. has

a cam groove 191 in its upper faceA/rithin which rides afollower 192 on an arm 93. This arm 93 is carried by a vertical sha1l t 9-1 which extends upwardly through the top of the base 1 and has fixed thereto a grooved segment 95. Adjustable in the groove 96 ot' this segment is a pivot member 97 at one end of a lilik 98, the other end of which is pivotally connected at 99 to a support 100 to which both the button clamp and the cloth., plate are attached. By this means the eloli plate and button clamp are vibrated laterally in unison and to the desired extent be-` tween suceessive sewing strokes of the needles; l

As shown inFigure 5 the cloth plate is provided with a pair of 'slots 105 for the passage of the needles, the, portion 106 between the slots acting as a support for the material which prevents it f rom being drawn down into the needle holes during the work piercing strokes of the needle. One of the advantages of this machine is that it permits the use of such avwork supporting bridge across the throat through lwhich the needles passq as in many cases it has been found impossible to usea single needle. Inachine for sewing on buttons, particularly near 4the edge of relaF tively soft material, as the single needle machine requires an opening for the needle to pass of suliicientsize to include all four needleholes of the button, since theneedle must i pass through each of these holes. Where such a large opening is provided soft material maybe drawn down into the hole to a sufficient` extent to seriously interfere with even if it does not preventthe sewing operation. VV here it is possible, as in the two needle construction herein illustrated to support the work between the needles, the downward pressure ofi/fthe needles is exerted on opposite sides of the support simultaneously needle machine as well as to a two needle machine and for the sake of clarity but a single thread has been illustrated in `Figure 2 and Figures` 13 to 16 inclusive. The needle thread after passing beneath the constant tension 22 and the guide 11() passes'through a perforation 111 in the upper portion of the needle bar. From this it passes about a guide 112 adj-ustably secured to the needle bar and extending out through a slot 1.13 in the forward face of the sewing head 4. After passing about this guide the thread passes about another guide 114 mounted in fixed position on the forward face of the sewing headl at one side of the slot 11.3. After passing about this guide 11-'1 the thread extends to its needle eye. The thread guide 114 is positioned adjacent to the path of motion of the guide 112,

as the needle. bar is reciprocatcd so that vthe guide`112 passes the guide 1141 before the needle bar reaches the lowerlimit of its stroke.

, Referring now to Figures 13 to 1G, the relative positions ofthe needle bar `for successive corresponding positions of the looper are illustrated. lll/'hen the needle bar is in its downwardstroke at the poi-nt shown in Figure 13, the guide 112 is in horizontal alliieinent with the guide`114, the looper hook 115 extends through a loop of thread from the needle and the thread linger is holding this loop 116 in position for the needle to extend therethrough. As the needle bar continues to descend to the position shown in Figure 14, the looper hook .115 moves backwardly casting oil the loop -116 over thel needle 25 and the finger 52 is retracted. This downward motion of the needle bar also tight about the needle. In Figure 14 the pos 'sition of the needle bar is shown at substantially its limit of downward motion. As it is then retracted toward the position shown'y Ain vFigure 15 the needle is entirely with-fv drawn from the loop 116ibetore the guide 112 reachesl a position shown 1n Figure 16 above the guide 114 -equal to the distance it moved below the guide 114 in its downward stroke` .this providing a dwell in the pull back of the thread su'licient in extent for the needle to be retractedentirely from the loop 116 before the loop is pulled up against the lower face ,of th:` work. As soon as the needle bar has been raisedl suliiciently to cause the guide 112 to be as fair above the guidel 114 as it was previouslv moved below the guide 114. as shown in Figure 16, upward movement of the needle bar again exerts a pulling action on the loop so that in its extreme raised ther to escape the looper hooks on their suc-v position the loop 116 has been set up firmly against the lower side of the work. At this time the hook 115 has 'moved forwardly again and has taken the last needle loop* so that the parts are in the position shown in Figure l5.

lThe lateral motion ofthe work holder also assists in drawing the loops up agalnst the work. Figures 13, 14 and 15 show the work holding mechanism in its right hand position and Figure 1G shows the button clamp and cloth plate as having been moved over to the left and lwith the thread finger 52 holding the thread loop in position for the needle 25 to pass therethrough as it passes downward through the right hand hole of the pair in the button although in this position of the button clamp the thread finger is not absolutely necloops formed inthe other position of' thel work as shown in Figure 15, and the loop drawing mechanism must have a stroke of suflicient length to draw up the longer loop, and the longer loops must be drawn up furceeding loop-taking movements. In this machine, therefore', it is necessary to effect a quick preliminary drawing movement to pull up the cast loops sufficiently lo escape the looper hooks, and then to delay the complete tightening of the loop to permit the needle to withdraw therefrom. This delay is particularly necessary where the shorter loops are being drawn since because) of their^ shorter length they would be tightened up earlier than lthe longer/loops. This action is provided for in the present construction by vthe two drawing actions with an intermediate dwell. During the second loop-tightening' stage the work is given ment.

From the foregoing description of one embodiment of this invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the -art that various changes and modifications might'be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. The combination in a button sewing machine, of a needle, and an oscillatory looper for taking successive loops of thread from the needle and casting off said loops about the next succeeding needle loop in chain stitch formation, and, means for vibrating the work between successive needle strokes laterally of its vibratingv movethe needle, said machine including means for Lomas;

drawing the cast-off loop out of the way of the looper at its succeeding loop-taking ystroke but loosely about said needle before the retracting stroke of said needle and completing the drawing of said cast olf loop against the work beneath the button only after the needle has been withdrawn therefrom.

2. The combination in a button sewing machine, of a needle bar, a needle carried bv said bar, and an oscillatory looper fortaking successive loops of thread from the needle and casting od said loops about the needle and the neigt succeeding needle loop in chain stitch formation, and means for vibrating the work between successive needle strokes laterally of the needle, said machine including means for drawing back the cast off loop in two stages with a dwell therebetweendur-` ing which dwell the needle is withdrawn from said cast off loop.

3. The'combination in a button sewing machine, of a needle bar, a needle carried by said bar, an oscillatory looper for taking successive loops of thread from the needle and casting off saidloops about the needle and the next succeeding needle loop in chain stitch formation, means for vibrating the work be` tween successive needle strokes laterally of the needle and means including said needle bar for drawing back the cast olf loop in two `stages with a dwell therebetween during which' dwell the needle is withdrawn from said cast olf loop.

4. The combination in a buttonsewing machine,. of a sewing head, a needlev bar reciprocable in said head, a needle carried by said bar, an oscillatory looper for taking suc-y cessive loops of thread from the needle and casting them off over the needle and the next succeeding needle loop Lin chain Astitchformation, a stationary thread guide on said head adjacent to said bar 'and from which the thread passes to said needle, and a thread guide on said needle bar about which the thread ypasses Abefore passing to said fixed guide, saidv guides being positioned for said needle bar guide to pass said fixed guide to cause an initial pull backof the cast olf loop on the last portion of the work piercing stroke of said needle bar to remove said castl ofl'sloop from the path of the loo er, to Acause a dwell on the initial portion o the retraction of said needle bar during4 which, the

needle lis withdrawn from said cast oft' loop,

and then to complete the pull back to tighten said cast of loop-V against the work beneath of holes in the button, anoscillatory looperv shaft, alooper for each needle fixed to said shaft for taking successive loops of thread from its respective needle and casting oil' each G with a dwell therebetween during of said loops about Aits needle and the next succeeding' needle loop in chain stltch formation, and means for drawing back the cast off loops from all the needles in two stages which dwell each needle is withdrawn from its respective cast off loop.

6, Thefcombination in a button sewing machine, ofa needle bar, a pair of needles carried by said bar spaced to pass through pairs of holes in the button, an oscillatory looper shaft, a looper for each needle fixed to said shaft for taking successive loops of thread from its respective needle and casting 0E each of said loops aboutits needle and the next succeeding needle loop in` chain stitch formation, and means including said needle bar for drawing .back the cast off loops from 'all the needles in two stages with a dwell,

therebetween during which dwell each needle is withdrawn from itsrespective cast off loop.

7. The combination in a button sewing machine, of stitch forming mechanisms including two reciprocatory needles and an oscilla- 25. tory looper for each needle, work holding mechanism including av button clamp having spaced jaws between which a button may be inserted by movement in one direction, and means for vibrating said clamp between stitch formations at right angles to said direction to bring two holes of a button held by said clamp alternatelyin the path of each of said needles.

8.- T he combination in a buttonsewing maa pair of reciprocating needles, a looper movable about an axis for each of said needles and a thread .finger for taking the loops from both loopers and presenting them in position for the needles to pass therethrough on their neX-t succeeding stroke, and Work-holding mechanism including a button clamp having an` opening for the insertion and removal of a button by movement /in opposite directions, said loop presenting movements of the thread finger being at right angles to the direction of insertion and removalof a button relative to said clamp.

9. In a multiple needle button sewing machine, a needle bar, a pair of. needles carried by said bar, abutton clamp having an opening Vfor the insertion and removal of buttons, an oscillatory looper shaft arranged' substantially parallel to the line of insertion and removal of buttons from said clamp, a looper for each needle on said shaft, and a thread finger cooperating with the thread loops on said loopers and moving them at right angles i to said looper shaft.

` 10. In a multiple needle button sewing machine, a needle bar, a pair of needles carried by said bar in a plane arranged from front to back of the machine and spaced to pass Y through pairs of holes in the button, and a 65 looper for each of said needles,.all of said chine, sti-tch forming mechanisms including' -loopers facing in the same direction'and in position to requ-ire the threading of all the needles from the front ofthe machine.

11. In a multiple needle button sewing ma;l I

chine, a needle bar, a pair of needles 'carried`v by said bar in a single plane and spaced to pass through pairs of holes in the button, Van

oscillatory looper shaft arranged parallel to the plane Vof said needles, anda looper for each needle on said shaft, said loopers being arranged symmetrically with relation to their respective'needles in position to requireibothyf- I ""I "i needles to be threaded from the same side.

12. In 'a multiple needle button sewing machine, a needle bar, a pair of needles carried by said bar in a single plane arranged from front to back of the machine and spaced to pass through pairs of holes in the button, an oscillatory looper shaft arranged parallel to the plane of said needles, and a looper for each needle on said shaft, said loopers being arranged symmetrically with relation to their respective needles and in position to require threading of both needles from the front of the machine. A

13. In a. chain stitch button sewing machine, a needle bar, a pair of needles carried vby said bar spaced to pass through pairs of holes in the button, a looper shaft, a looper on said shaft for each needle to take successive loops of thread from its respective needle, and a single thread finger for taking all the loops engaged by the loopers after said needle bar has retracted to hold said loops in position for vthe needles to pass therethrough in the succeeding work piercing needle strokes.

14:. In a chain rstitch button sewing machine, a needle bar, a pair of needles carried by said bar spaced to pass through p airsv of holes in the button, a looper shaft, a looper on said shaft for each needle to take successive loops of threadl from its respective needle, and a single thread finger for taking all the loops engaged by the loopers after said needle bar has retracted to hold said loops* in position for the needles to pass therethrough in the succeeding work piercing needle strokes,

said finger having means for holding each holder laterally of the needles, and a thread. finger for positioning threads from said.

loopers in proper position to saidneedles irrespective of the relative lateral positions of f said holder and needles and having a threadreceiving notch in one edge for each needle and looper. 'I

16. In a chain stitch button sewing machine, a pair of needles, a button holder, a looper for each needle, means for producing vibratory motions between said needles and holder laterally of the needles', "and a thread irres ective of the relative lateral positions of seid holder and needles, said nger having v a; free end end a, pair of notches in one edge keeeh to receive loop-s of thread from one oil l .seid vloopen-s and present them in proper relatsignature;

nemesi Y tion to one of seid needles, that side ot each notch the more remote from seid free end presenting a, pronounced shoulder for enge ement with its respective loops.

n testimony whereof ll have axed my nonne?? L. mons 

